Porsche 'must share platforms'

Porsche is prepared to share the Panamera and 911 platforms with other Volkswagen Group brands, according to new boss Michael Macht.

Macht said Porsche will pursue co-operative projects now that it is part of VW. “Porsche needs to become a strong pillar of VW, as well as having its own production and research and development capabilities. It is important to use synergies as well as having independence,” he said.

These synergies include Porsche components being offered to sister firms. “The Panamera platform could be used by other brands for models that are in development and at the concept stage,” Macht said.

When asked if the 911 platform was also on the table, Macht said it “could be made available to other VW brands”. But apart from the Cayenne’s V6, Porsche will not use any other VW Group engines. “Engine development is a core value for Porsche,” Macht said.

Following its failed attempt to take over VW, Porsche is now concentrating on riding out the global downturn. Before the credit crunch the firm was targeting sales of 150,000 cars a year. But this year sales have slid by 24 per cent to just over 75,000. Porsche will attempt to pursue its original target with its three basic model families (Cayenne, Panamera and 911/Boxster) but it is also looking at further additions to the range.

“Any new model would have to be exclusive, sporting and make a good business case. In any segment Porsche has to be the most exclusive, as well as being the best quality and capable of delivering the best driving experience,” Macht said.

In the near future, there will be a six-cylinder Panamera next year and, eventually, a hybrid and a diesel Panamera; the car’s 1800kg kerb weight is low for its market sector, so it’s a good candidate for increasing efficiency.

This is what worried my about a VW takeover - platform sharing in the VW group within VW, Seat, Audi, Skoda has lead to cars that are so close together they to me become lacking in any individual character.
As a Boxster owner, I cringe at the thought of having a rebodied Audi - if I feel this way, how is a 911 owner going feel! When I bought the Boxster, I wanted something individual and have admired Porsche's independence. I deliberately didn't want an Audi, BM or Merc.
From the rumours now flying around, I wonder that next time I look to purchase a new car, the cache that Porsche has enjoyed will be considerably watered down - accepting the Cayenne as a Porsche has been bad enough!
Surely after the takeover let Porsche do what it does best - make individual sports cars with their own engines! Go upmarket, not down. Exploit that gap between ordinary cars and supercars - few brands have the ability to do this.
When people talk of Porsches and VW sharing major technology from the past, the former was in a different market position - when you're selling £100K plus 911 Turbos the situation is very different. The Germans seem to think at the moment that any brand can cover every market - the VW Phaeton proved this isn't the case
If a Porsche becomes a rebodied Audi, I might as well buy a Mercedes, a BM, a Lexus...

I just might add that the 911 platform it`s a little tricky, because I do not see any chance in Lamborghini, Bugatti, Bentley, Skoda, Seat, Audi, Volkswagen, Scania to made use of a rear-powered engine car... unless we should consider the Scania Buses...

So, to all the fanatics:

Keep dreaming about the "independence"

what I can clearlly see is that the future 911`s in place of using Thyssen-Krupp axles will use probably axles also in use in the next Bugattis, Lambos, Bentleys??

nah - Skodas used to be rear engined and had interesting handling characteristics - bring out a new Skoda Rapid with a GT3 engine in the back ..... :o)

here is an extract from Wikipedia "The new 130 models silenced the earlier criticism that had been made in some quarters of tail-happy handling, with the prominent UK motoring magazine "Autocar and Motor" remarking in 1988 that the new 136 Rapid model "handles like a Porsche 911"

Maybe, maybe the future 911 won't be a rear engined layout... I know it's almost as unimaginable as the fall of the iron curtain. But still. Who would have thought that Skodas would turn into cheaper versions of Golfs...

Porsche has now proven that the Cayman is worthy of the badge. And they are just using the Cayman as a mid-range priced sports car. Time for the next step.

Put a 911-looking body on top of a Cayman chassis and ship it with a 400 bhp engine and a standard LSD.

Ask Walter Röhrl to run a few laps around the Nordschleife to prove it's quicker.

Put a 911-ish price tag on it to make it desirable...

Voila, the Porsche 911 (999) is born.

Few will miss the rear seats of the old school 911. Luggage space and handling will improve a bit.

nah - Skodas used to be rear engined and had interesting handling characteristics - bring out a new Skoda Rapid with a GT3 engine in the back ..... :o)

here is an extract from Wikipedia "The new 130 models silenced the earlier criticism that had been made in some quarters of tail-happy handling, with the prominent UK motoring magazine "Autocar and Motor" remarking in 1988 that the new 136 Rapid model "handles like a Porsche 911"

[/quote] Oddly enough I remember reading a roadtest of the Rapid Coupe where it was described as an ideal low powered trainer for budding 911 drivers to be.

Modern, high powered 911 based Skoda Rapid coupe? I think you have something with potential 38cars. Wonder if anyone from VAG or Porsche ever read Autocar Forum?